R.A. Dickey (2-4, 4.31 ERA) and Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 3.83 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Toronto Blue Jays (19-22) and the Tampa Bay Rays (18-19) at the Rogers Centre. The Rays won the last game 12-2, and Tampa Bay leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 18 and can be seen on RSN and SUN.
Dickey pitched 8.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs, striking out six and walking one in a 5-0 win over the Rangers. Odorizzi went 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out two and walking one in a 6-3 defeat to the Athletics in his last outing. Steve Pearce (.301, 14 Rs, 6 HRs, 17 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Rays, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
The odds for Toronto and Tampa Bay are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, Toronto has a record of 10-10 SU. The Blue Jays have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Toronto’s batters do not strike out very often at home, with only 8.6 per game. Toronto’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
The Rays are 10-12 against AL East opponents. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is fifth in the AL. The Rays can change the game with one swing of the bat, leading the league with 55 home runs. The Rays allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Rays are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.168 for the season.
The Rays lead the season series, 5-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
In their last game, the Rays won by a margin of 10 runs. The Blue Jays are 1-2 in games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more. The Rays have a 2-0 record in blowouts.
Toronto has won 35% (6-11) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Tampa Bay has won 54% (7-6) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming into this meeting after a high-scoring game where they scored an impressive 12 runs. The Blue Jays have a 0-2 record when opponents score that many runs or more.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 2-13. The Blue Jays have a 4-15 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Tampa Bay has hit 55 this season. Toronto ranks 10th with 46 home runs.
Toronto and Tampa Bay both rank near the bottom of the league in hits. Toronto sits at 24th with 7.88 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks 26th with 7.84.
Toronto and Tampa Bay both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Toronto sits at 20th with an OPS of .713, and Tampa Bay ranks 16th with an OPS of .733.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 6-18. When the Blue Jays allow one or more homers, they have a 10-15 record.
